7 Reasons Family Caregivers Burn Out

By Ted Holmgren, 9:00 am on July 10, 2017

When your caregiving duties are making you feel agitated all the time, you may be headed for burnout. For this reason, you should be aware of these seven common reasons caregivers burn out so you can take preventative action now.

1. Getting Sick or Injured

The long hours you spend caring for your loved one can affect your immune system. You may encounter more germs than the average person when you take your loved one to the hospital or doctor’s office. Your caregiving duties may also become difficult if you’re injured or feeling ill. Make sure to arrange time for your personal healthcare appointments, and ask for help with tasks that pose a risk of injury.

Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Ahwatukee Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.

2. Experiencing Role Conflicts

Your aging loved one may feel you are parenting him or her at times, and this presumed role reversal can lead to conflicts. Over time, arguing with your loved one may leave you feeling bitter. Take time for yourself if things heat up, and recruit a third party when you need your parent to listen to something.

3. Juggling Rotating Schedules

Many caregivers today work long hours or care for kids while also taking care of their aging loved ones. After a long day at work, doing simple tasks such as preparing your loved one’s bath may feel overwhelming, or you may feel upset when you have to miss an important event at your child’s school because of your caregiving duties. Always have a backup caregiver in place when you can’t manage everything on your own.

4. Staying Up Too Late

It is also common for caregivers to put off their personal tasks until the last minute. Try to prioritize your daily responsibilities or find ways to multitask. For instance, you could fold laundry while your loved one listens to an audiobook.

5. Failing to Eat Right or Exercise

By the time you give your loved one a hot meal and help with his or her therapeutic exercises, you may feel you don’t have time to cook or work out. However, even a brief walk can boost your health. Hire a respite caregiver to come in a few days a week so you can hit the gym or enjoy cooking your favorite nutritious meal.

If you are the primary caregiver for a senior loved one in Ahwatukee, respite care is available when you need time away from your important caregiving duties. At Home Care Assistance, our respite caregivers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help your loved one manage everyday tasks in the comfort of home while you have the chance to take a much-needed break.

6. Feeling Alone as a Caregiver

Taking on caregiving responsibilities without help could make you feel overwhelmed as well as lonely. Put together a support team that includes other caregivers who can take over things when you are stressed. Knowing you have someone to call can make you feel less alone.

7. Managing the Emotional Toll

It can be painful watching a parent fall ill or get older. Join a support group or attend a counseling session while someone else watches your loved one. Releasing your negative emotions may allow you to greet your loved one with a smile when you are back on duty.

Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care. Ahwatukee, AZ, Home Care Assistance are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. To learn about our premier senior care plans, give us a call at 480-448-6215 today.